Flight Training Security Program (FTSP) Information

Please note: most of this information came direct from the TSA's FTSP website: 

What is the Flight Training Security Program? 

On May 1, 2024, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published the Flight Training Security Program Final Rule. This rule states it "is to prevent non-US citizens [2] who are potential threats to aviation or national security from receiving flight training.” 

The FTSP website states participation is required for foreign flight students if: 

• They wish to receive flight training in the United States or its territories,  whether or not training will lead to an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate or type rating; and/or 
• The wish to receive flight training from an FAA-certificated facility, provider, or instructor that could lead to an FAA rating, whether in the United States or abroad.

Once a flight student has received their TSA letter, authorizing them to complete this requirement, they can start the fingerprinting process. 

Flight Training Providers 

As a flight training provider, you are required to verify an individual's U.S. citizenship or nationality by checking that person’s identity documents. Students who are U.S. citizens or nationals need to present these documents when they appear for flight training. (see the Legal Notices tab on https://fts.tsa.dhs.gov/home.) 

You, as the provider, must use TSA’s FTSP portal to notify TSA of all training event details, and scheduled candidate training events. Regardless of whether the events are completed or abandoned, they need to be updated in the portal.  You are also required to take a photograph of the student when they come for training and upload that photo into the portal within five days.   

Regulation-Required Flight Training 

The FTSP website’s FAQs tab states the following:  

In general, the regulation covers instruction in a fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft or aircraft or aircraft simulator that is consistent with the requirements to obtain a new skill, certificate, or type rating, or to maintain a pilot certificate or rating. A provider must notify TSA about the following flight training events to be provided to candidates:  

• Initial pilot certification, whether private, recreational, sport pilot, fixed-wing, rotorcraft, on land, on sea, etc.; because such training provides a person with basic piloting skills. 

• Instrument rating, because such training enhances a pilot's abilities to navigate an aircraft in bad weather or at night and enables a pilot to better understand the instruments and physiological experiences of flying without reference to visual cues outside the aircraft.   

• Multi-engine rating, because such training enhances a pilot's ability to operate a larger aircraft with more than one (1) engine.  

• Type rating, an aircraft-specific certification a pilot obtains to operate an aircraft, because such training is required beyond the initial, multi-engine, and instrument certifications.  

• Recurrent training for type rating, required to maintain or renew a type rating already held by a pilot.  

In addition to the above, TSA has provided a feature that allows the provider the option to notify TSA of the following training events:  

• Commercial   

• Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)   

For more frequently asked questions, see the "FAQs" tab on https://fts.tsa.dhs.gov/home.  

What is your next step? 

Foreign flight training candidates who are seeking one or more of the flight training events listed above, will need to register with the FTSP through TSA’s portal. Next, the student should complete the Security Threat Assessment (STA) application and pay the fee. 

When TSA receives confirmation of the student’s payment and processes the application, the agency will send the student an email with fingerprinting instructions. 

Fingerprinting for FTSP 

Once your foreign flight student receives their approval for fingerprinting from the TSA, they can use our secure FTSP fingerprinting registration process to complete the required forms online and generate their Fingerprint Control Form and instructions. As part of that process, they will have the ability to choose a Certified Fingerprint Technician/Trusted Agent from our global network of over 300 sites to have their fingerprints collected and submitted for processing. 

The student needs to bring their Fingerprint Control Form and passport to the Trusted Agent. If a student is a U.S. resident, they may use their U.S. driver’s license or state identification card in place of the passport. Asylees may present their work authorization and U.S. driver’s license.  

NOTE: For asylees, the information on their documents and identification MUST match in order to prevent delays in fingerprint processing.  

If you should have questions throughout the application process, please view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) link on the FTSP site or you can contact the FTSP Help Desk.